You try to stand strong and keep a philosophy that can get you through and seek all kinds of support and know you are doing the right thing even when it is most hard and hopeless but you search for that strength and yet sometimes you . . . just. . . crumble.

Territory. I am always trying to find my niche. To make my home feel like mine, but you seem to be there, infringing on my territory. My space at work feels more freeing because you have never been a part of that territory.

We are always searching for the answer. But maybe the question is more important. I hate questions that supposedly have only one answer because I always find more possibilities and change my mind–my answer–and get it wrong.

“What are you wearing?” Here she came. Skinny little legs sticking out of one leg hole–a tiny little tennis skirt, tiny even on her. And some kind of t-shirt on backwards of course. “Look, Mom! We went to the Farmer’s Market and look what we got!”

Walk through the fear–that is what I keep telling myself. He intimidates because he can, because he is fearful. Don’t let it deter you because if you do what is the cost? Your beautiful daughter. Keep her safe. Be brave. Don’t be intimidated.

On a bleak mid-January day it is hard to find the energy to pursue a goal or dream. All the energy made available to me on this day is used on just plodding through the snow and making it up the icy freeway entrance ramp.